Vandals hit park with paint and profanity

Vandals hit an area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park known as “the Sinks” — a popular roadside waterfall located on Little River Road on the Tennessee side of the park. They spray painted pictures and profanity along the walkways, stone walls and natural rock throughout the area.

The park is now offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for this vandalism. Rangers report that the graffiti includes references to “Wolfgang” and “Lumberjack.”

“This was not a minor act of tagging by someone with a can of spray paint,” said Chief Ranger Clay Jordan. “The amount of damage maliciously caused to this beautiful setting is disheartening.”

Park employees spent several hours removing the offensive language and images using a variety of techniques to remove the paint. Only two years ago the park had renovated the Sinks parking area including the construction of new retaining walls, stone walkways, and an overlook area.